What is the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis?

Clinical and pathologic manifestations of SSc are the result of: (1) innate/adaptive immune system abnormalities leading to production of autoantibodies and cell-mediated autoimmunity, (2) microvascular endothelial cell/small vessel fibroproliferative vasculopathy, and (3) fibroblast dysfunction generating excessive …

Is scleroderma a form of cancer?

Johns Hopkins scientists have found evidence that cancer triggers the autoimmune disease scleroderma, which causes thickening and hardening of the skin and widespread organ damage.

Can systemic sclerosis cause breast cancer?

Patients with systemic sclerosis carry a more than twofold increased risk for cancer — particularly lung, early breast and early melanoma — compared with healthy peers, leading to higher mortality and higher medical costs, according to findings published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Is scleroderma pathogenic?

There is no doubt that vascular and immunologic processes are central to the pathogenesis of scleroderma, although it is unclear what the initial events are and how different processes respectively trigger, amplify, and facilitate the development of the skin- and organ-based fibrosis with vasculopathy that is the …

What is systemic pathology?

SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGY: that includes study of disease pertaining to the specific organ and body systems.

What is the difference between scleroderma and systemic sclerosis?

The word “scleroderma” means hard skin in Greek, and the condition is characterized by the buildup of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and other organs. The condition is also called systemic sclerosis because the fibrosis can affect organs other than the skin.

What is systemic sclerosis?

Systemic sclerosis is a rare chronic disease of unknown cause characterized by diffuse fibrosis and vascular abnormalities in the skin, joints, and internal organs (especially the esophagus, lower gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart, and kidneys).

What virus causes scleroderma?

One theory suggests that scleroderma is caused by a virus or other infection. For example, a common virus called CMV (cytomegalovirus) is known to infect cells (endothelial cells) that line our blood vessels, which we know are diseased in scleroderma (3).

Is scleroderma and systemic sclerosis the same?

What are the pathological changes associated with scleroderma?

The clinical and pathologic manifestations result from three distinct processes: 1) severe fibroproliferative vascular lesions of small arteries and arterioles, 2) excessive and often progressive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules in skin and various internal organs, and 3) …

What are types of systematic pathology?

Cardiovascular Pathology.